Edwin l



(ModeL) E. L. L. KING. I ARTIFIGIAL FLOWER.

Patented June 20, 1882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN L. L. KING, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

ARTIFICIAL FLOWER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 259,871, dated June 20, 1882.

Application filed April 6, 1882. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN L. L. KING, of Baltimore city, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Flowers; and I hereby declare the same to be fully, clearly, and exactly described as follows, reference being had tothe accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated a bouquet made according to my invention.

The object of myinvention is to produce arlificial flowers which-shall be close imitations of natural flowers, strong and durable, and having the peculiar aesthetic effect due to the use of one natural object for the imitation of another, without the drawbacks which have heretofore attended such use; and my said invention consists in artificial flowers whose petals consist of sea-shells connected together by wires, as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing isillustrated a bouquet consistin g of a rose, A, ma gnolia-blossom B, daisy G, and a species of pond-lily, D. The petals are drilled, as shown, at b, and a fine wire, 0, is passed through the holes, drawing the petals together. The stamens, pistils, leaves, and stems are made in the usual way.

Artificial flowers made in this way have a peculiar charm. The wires admit of a movement and spring of the petals, like those of a natural flower, and the shells so closely imitate the petals that, except on minute inspection, the flowers appear to be natural. Close inspection shows them to be shells and reveals the sole defect of the flower-its absence of odor.

I am aware that shells have heretofore been used in making artificial flowers, being bedded at one end in a core of cement; but the flowers so made wereso stilf as to greatly detract from their beauty, while in mine the petals vibrate, as in the natural flower.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

Artificial flowers having their petals formed of sea-shells perforated near their bases and secured by wires, as described, whereby the petals are free to vibrate and move, as set forth.

, EDWIN L. L. KING. Witnesses:

M. R. WALTER, WM. SonLoss. 

